Lunar New Year: Celebrations cancelled in Southport

Lunar New Year celebrations at Southport have been cancelled – but others are still going ahead. Here’s where you can still catch the action.

WEEKEND Lunar New Year celebrations are going ahead in Surfers Paradise but have been cancelled in Southport – and not because the council might be concerned about the coronavirus.

Mayor Tom Tate says advice to the council was to go ahead, but stallholders were pulling out so the decision was made to can Southport’s festivities.

Surfers Paradise meanwhile will still be treated to lion dances and traditional Chinese New Year entertainment.

Councillor Tate announced the decision at a media conference this morning.

He was adamant it was not due to public health concerns.

“The advice was not to cancel on the basis of coronavirus, but the advice was based on stallholders not willing to participate,” he said.

“So now operationally the celebration (in Southport) will not be going ahead.

“It will be a flop and that is not how we roll on the Gold Coast.”

Festivities will still go ahead at Surfers Paradise. Picture: Supplied.

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He said stallholders have not specified why they pulled out in droves.

But the city was on high alert after health authorities confirmed a second coronavirus case on the Coast and the World Health Organisation declared the coronavirus outbreak as a global emergency.

“If there are other events occurring during Lunar New Year, like in Surfers Paradise, I encourage it to still be celebrated,” Cr Tate said.

“If there is ever a time if you have not had Chinese food for a while, it is time to show solidarity and get some chicken chow mein.”

Celebrations will still continue in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Richard Gosling

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Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw said Surfers Paradise traders wanted to proceed with their weekend festivities as there was no risk to public safety.

Commencing tonight there will be lion dancing, acrobats and various interactive workshops in Cavill Mall and the Soul boardwalk.

Cr Tate said he was concerned about Gold Coast University Hospital’s overcrowded emergency department while people were worried about the coronavirus.

“It is really overrun and people who need life-threatening attention (sic) are not getting processed as quickly as normal,” he said.

“This is the essence of why we are looking at fever testing locations.

“For those who do not have symptoms, you should still escalate personal hygiene for the next few weeks.

“When attending community functions, also communicate with others from a distance.”